Life, 1912-05-23 · page 3 of 44
Life — May 23, 1912 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon** but rather a **patent medicine advertisement** for Sanatogen, a "food-tonic" product. The large "15000" at the top represents 15,000 physicians who allegedly endorsed the product. The advertisement uses a persuasion technique common in early 20th-century marketing: it argues that while one doctor's opinion might be doubted, unanimous agreement among 15,000 doctors would "absolutely establish the truth." The right column contains quoted testimonials from named physicians and public figures claiming Sanatogen improved their health, sleep, and nerve function. This reflects an era when such unverified medical claims and doctor endorsements were legal marketing tactics. The page illustrates how manufacturers exploited appeals to medical authority to sell dubious tonics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
One Physician Might NotConvince You, But When 15000 Physicians Agree— OU might hesitate, though a sincere physician told you the hard truth about yourself and about the necessary remedy. You might say, ‘One man's opinion.” But suppose fifteen physicians, investigating the same subject, arrived at a unanimous judgment— would not the possibility of error be reduced to a minimum? Now imagine a thousand times that many physicians—fifteen thousand who have impartially investigated the same subject, all arriving at the same conclusion—all, without d expressing the same opinion. carefully and sent, Would not such overwhelming unanimity of judgment absolutely establish the truth of the matter? This is what has happened with regard to Sanatogen THE FOOD +/TONIC __ Fifteen thousand practicing physicians, writing over their own signatures, have expressed their confidence in the restora- tive, upbuilding power of Sanatogen as a nerve food. Thousands of eminent men and women in other professions have expressed the same confidence. And these endorsements are based on actual tests of Sanatogen. hay [tis by actual test that Sanatogen's nourishing aid to famished nerves has been so conclusively established. Actual test us shown that its scientifically combined elements of nerve food directly and specifically feed the hungry cells and tissues of the nervous system, bringing strength where there has been weakness—confidence and buoyancy where there has been strain, imitation and despondency. P icrer sts is the message this splendid consensus of medical opinion brings to YOU. This is the word of cheer to every suf- rer brought by this unexampled praise from men in many lands who have actually experienced the revitalizing nerve urishment of Sanatogen. A Remarkable Book FREE Upon Request The work of a physician-author, beautifully about your nervous system. facts which vital This book also tells the story of Sanatogen con but so that any layman can understand it. Ask for lustrated, which tells you some really interesting things our well-being and which, therefore. you ought to from the point of view of a physician, ZE copy of “Our Nerves of Tomorrow.” Sanatogen is sold in three sizes: $1.00, $1.90, $3.60 Cet Sanatogen from your druggist—if not obtainable from him, sent upon receipt of price by HE BAUER CHEMICAL COMPANY, 24 E Irving Place, New York Prot. Thomas B. Stillman, M.S., Ph.D., the well-known research chem- fst of Stevens’ Institute, writes: “The chemical union of the con- stituents of Sanatogen is a tru one. representative of the highest skill in the formation of a product containing phosphorus in the organic pliaephate condition, and so combined that digestion’ and assimilation of San- atogen are rendered compicte with the greatest ease, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Von Leyden, Dircetor First Medical Berlin University, writes: “I have gladly’ and frequently prescribed Sanatogen In cases of ate patients in my ‘as my private practice and extremely sa.csfied with the res 1 Prof. C. A. Ewald, of Berlin University, Doctor honoris causa University “of Maryland, in his “contribution oa bdominall that I have used Sans- Cine, those disturbances of metabolism h wero matoly of a nervous or rasthente origin), and have obtain Late King Edward's Physician, Dr. Ernest Ott, Marienbad, writes: “T have been using Sanatogen for = number of years in my practice with excellent rexults. These resulta have been notably good in tho ease of ciderty people when It was dest to build up the strength, to stimu the bodily functions, and to improve the circulation of the blood.” John Burroughs, the distinguished naturalist and author, writes: “1 am sure I have been greatly benefited by Sanatogen. My sleep iy Hfty per cent, better than 1t was ove year ago, and my mind and strength are much Improved.” Charles D. Siasbee, “After a thorough trial of Scn- atogen, I am convinced of tt merit ax @ food and tonic. Ita beneficlé effects are beyond doubt.” Sle Gitbert Parker, M. P., ‘the eminent novellst-statcsman, writes from London: “Sanatogen ts to my mind a true food-tonie, feeding the nerves, tncreas- Ing the energy. and giving fresh vigor to the overworked body and mind." Arnold Bennett, the famous novelist, writes: “The tonle effect of Sanatogen os me Is simply wonderful.” Lady Heary Somerset, ‘the prominent social reform advo cate, writes: “Sanatogen undoubtedly restora sleep, Invigorates the nerves and braces the patient to bealth. I have watched {ts effect on people whort nervous systems have been entirely undermined, and I have proved Mar atogen to be most valuable,” George Ade, ‘the humorist, writes: “I have given Sanatogen a tit and I am convinced of Its merite.”" comicbooks.com